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Grizzlies try to follow up big win, host Mavs

Apr 7, 2012 - 2:38 PM (Sports Network) - Memphis will try to finish up an impressive back-to-back sweep of both NBA finalists from a year ago when they host the Dallas Mavericks.

The Grizzlies never trailed in an impressive 97-82 rout of Miami on Friday, snapping the Heat's gaudy 17-game home winning streak. Now, Memphis will try to avenge a loss in Dallas last Wednesday and move two games ahead of the Mavs in the Western Conference playoff race.

Rudy Gay scored 17 points in South Florida on Friday and the Grizzlies led wire-to-wire in their win over the Heat.

Mike Conley and Marreese Speights added 15 points apiece for Memphis, which has won four of five, and Zach Randolph came off the bench for 14 points and 14 rebounds in a dominating team win.

Not only did the Grizzlies lead from beginning to end, except for a short time in the third quarter, they were in complete control of one of the league's top teams.

"The first time I looked up," said Memphis coach Lionel Hollins, "we were up 15 points. We were playing well and we had a lot of people do a lot of good things."

The Heat's home streak, the best in the NBA this season, ended one win shy of the franchise record of 18 set during the 2004-05 season. Their previous loss at American Airlines Arena came Jan. 22 to Milwaukee.

Grizzlies guard Tony Allen wasn't with the team because of a facial laceration he suffered in the loss at Dallas on Wednesday.

The Mavs followed that win by coming up short in overtime to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

It seemed as if Portland and Dallas would be heading into double overtime for the second straight meeting between the teams, but LaMarcus Aldridge connected on a fadeaway jumper as the buzzer sounded in the extra frame to lift the Trail Blazers over the Mavericks, 99-97, at American Airlines Center.

"We wanted LaMarcus to get the ball. LaMarcus is our All-Star, and he's working his tail off. To his credit he hit a big time shot tonight," Trail Blazers head coach Kaleb Canales said. "Big time player, big time shot."

Dirk Nowitzki paced the Mavericks with 23 points and 13 boards. Jason Terry added 18 points and five assists in Dallas' third loss in five games.

"It's time for everybody to get in gear. We showed some signs tonight in the first half, but the third quarter was tough. It took a lot out of us," said Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle. "We battled to get back but expended a lot of energy. Too much was left to chance."

Dallas backup center Ian Mahinmi, who missed Friday's game to be with his fiancee for the birth of their child, is expected to rejoin the club tonight. Veteran point guard Jason Kidd, however, remains sidelined with a groin strain.

The Mavs snapped a three-game skid to the Grizz win their win earlier this week.